HOOF-LINE

THE ESSENTIAL TOOL FOR EVERY FARRIER, VETERINARIAN, HORSE OWNER AND TRAINER

‘If a horse isn't trimmed and balanced properly barefoot,
then no one has any business putting shoes on it.
Did you know that 90% of lameness in horses is hoof related?
Most gait problems and back strain problems stem from
incorrect trimming and incorrect shoeing that should have
been corrected, simply by correctly balancing the hoof'.

David Farmilo's HOOF-LINE rule ensures that the horse's hoof can be consistently
trimmed to result in a correctly balanced hoof, regardless of the size of the animal .

WHAT IS David Farmilo's HOOF-LINE RULE?

‘David Farmilo's HOOF-LINE' rule is calibrated according to a precisely calculated reference point on the hoof, requires no calculations by the end user, and takes the guess-work out of trimming. It shows in advance how much toe or heel is to be trimmed, can be used to check the work in progress, and to double check when the hoof is finally correctly balanced, whether shod or barefoot.

HOW WILL ‘David Farmilo's HOOF-LINE' HELP ME?

“I have developed ‘David Farmilo's HOOF-LINE' rule to enable even the novice to achieve a correctly balanced hoof by precisely following my prescribed method of trimming the hoof,” says David.

My mission in life is to put back into the industry what I have gained out of it, and my concern is that the basic principles of horseshoeing are being lost. I believe that there are too many variables in horseshoeing standards; that not enough is understood about how to achieve a correctly balanced hoof, and that complex horseshoes and supposed new ideas are contributing to the lowering of horseshoeing standards.

I believe ‘David Farmilo's HOOF-LINE' rule is an essential tool for every farrier, veterinarian, trainer, hoof carer and horse owner.”

WHAT IS A CORRECTLY BALANCED HOOF?

When a hoof is correctly balanced, the front of the hoof wall is parallel with the pastern angle, the hoof shape is a mirror image of the coronary band, there are no flares in the hoof wall and the hoof is stress free.

HOW DO I ACHIEVE A CORRECTLY BALANCED HOOF?

Good evaluation, good judgement, a good eye and an accurate estimation of the end result are general directions found in ‘how to' manuals. Over the centuries there have been complex, time consuming, and downright dangerous gadgets invented to supposedly assist in trimming the hoof. ‘David Farmilo's HOOF-LINE' rule puts an end to guess work.

HOW WILL I KNOW IF THE HOOF IS CORRECTLY BALANCED?

Over time, I have pinpointed what I call ‘My point of balance' on the horse's hoof. It is a point behind the active tip of the frog, and is the same distance behind the active tip of the frog whether it is on a thoroughbred, a Clydesdale, or a 6 week old foal. The distance from ‘My point of balance' to the front of the hoof and the distance from ‘My point of balance' to the heel (at straight line across the buttresses of the heel) must be equal. The HOOF-LINE rule takes the guess work out of determining the balance point.

HOW CAN I BE SURE I AM USING THE RULE CORRECTLY?

‘David Farmilo's HOOF-LINE' rule enables my method of correctly balancing the hoof to be reproduced every time. The tool is simple to use, easy to understand, and can be used by anyone with a basic understanding of the horse's hoof.

IS THE HOOF-LINE RULE DURABLE?

‘David Farmilo's HOOF-LINE' rule is made from engraved stainless steel, will not rust or bend, and with care should last a lifetime.

NOTE: The Hoof-Line Rule is only available in metric

Hoof-Line Demonstration Video (WMV Format)

Evolution of the Hoof-Line PDF

Official Website

Photo Gallery

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